Explore symptoms, assessment and rehabilitation considerations for elbow pain.
Tennis elbow causes pain around the outside of the elbow and can affect people who do repeated gripping, lifting or forearm movements. It is not limited to tennis players. Home care may help, but persistent pain needs assessment and exercise should suit your symptoms and daily tasks.
Symptoms and when elbow pain needs urgent help
Pain may be worse when gripping a tool, lifting an object or moving the wrist. The NHS tennis elbow guide describes common symptoms and treatment options. Pain location alone cannot confirm that you have tennis elbow.
Seek urgent assessment if elbow pain follows a significant injury or the elbow is painful and swollen and you feel unwell, including with fever. The NHS My Joint Health Hub assessment guidance explains these warning signs. Do not treat them as a routine tendon flare-up.
Home care: adjust activity and manage symptoms
Temporarily reduce tasks that aggravate the pain. Keep the elbow, wrist and hand moving comfortably rather than keeping the arm still for long periods. If you need to continue a repetitive task, break it up with rests or a different movement.
The NHS My Joint Health Hub tennis elbow guidance describes this balance between activity changes and gradual exercise.
A wrapped warm or cold pack may ease symptoms. Check the skin and stop if it becomes painful, numb or tingly; ask for advice if you have altered sensation or circulation problems. A forearm strap or brace may help some people with symptoms. Ask a pharmacist or clinician about suitable pain relief and support.
Tennis elbow exercise options
Discuss new exercises with a physiotherapist. These examples are starting points for a conversation, not a fixed programme for every painful elbow.
Gentle wrist extensor stretch
Extend the arm in front of you with the palm facing down. Use the other hand to gently bend the wrist downwards until you feel a comfortable stretch in the forearm. Do not pull hard or force a painful range.
Supported wrist extension
Rest your forearm on a table, palm down, with the wrist just beyond the edge. Lift the hand and lower it slowly. A physiotherapist can advise whether to add a light weight and how much resistance to use.
The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy demonstrations show these movements. They recommend seeking healthcare advice before a new routine and urgent medical advice if an exercise worsens pain.
Gradual loading can be part of rehabilitation, but exercises should not make your symptoms worse. Tell your clinician how the elbow responds during activity and afterwards so the plan can be adjusted.
Planning recovery with a physiotherapist
Improvement can be gradual and varies between people. Do not judge progress against a promised number of sessions or a universal recovery date. Useful goals include lifting a kettle, completing a work task or returning to a racket sport.
Our elbow pain and tendonitis physiotherapy guide explains video assessment, activity planning and when in-person care is needed.
Common questions about tennis elbow
Can I get tennis elbow without playing tennis?
Yes. Repetitive work and other activities involving the wrist and forearm can also be associated with it.
When should I arrange a medical review?
The NHS advises a medical review if elbow pain persists after at least two weeks of rest and self-care. Seek help earlier for worsening symptoms or the urgent warning signs above.
Sources and further reading
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